CLEARFIELD – During public comment at the Clearfield Borough Council committee meeting Thursday, Carl Pizzella spoke again to council regarding code enforcement.
Last month, Pizzella had expressed concern that there was more going on in regards to code enforcement than one person could handle, and suggested that the borough consider hiring a part-time person to help with some of the work.
Thursday, Pizzella said that the issues of Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack getting back to people or getting issues resolved are still a problem, and this is something that has been going on for years now.
He said other people have talked to him about their own issues, and they agree that Mack needs help. He said that the taxpayers are not being served by the office.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said that she is aware that there have been problems and not all of them are because of the code office.
For example, she said the obstruction issue Pizzella raised last month is something that the borough crew is planning on resolving next summer.
Stott asked Pizzella and anyone else who is having a problem getting issues resolved to call her and she will do whatever she can to help.
Council members also briefly discussed the events of Dec. 7 where the borough not only kicked off the Christmas season, but the fire department also had its hands full all day.
The day began with a structure fire, leaving some residents homeless. The fire department was then involved in the Christmas parade and other events, culminating with a tour of Santa Claus through the borough.
One council member said he was told that the department members intended to keep going that day until they simply couldn’t give anymore, noting that they moved from a crisis to celebration without let up.
“It makes you proud to live here,” said council member Susan Reed.
Council member Jim Kling then raised an issue that has been on his mind for several years now. He said in the past month, there have been a lot of alarms in the county and he is concerned that many properties do not have working smoke detectors, especially rental properties.
He recalled trying to create an inspection program about 10 years ago, but it didn’t get anywhere. With five or six fatalities this year alone, he suggested that it is time to take a look at the matter again.
Those council members present agreed to have the draft ordinance pulled out again and reviewed. Stott added that she will contact other municipalities and see what ordinances they may have in place.
In other business, council reminds residents that there is no Christmas tree pick up and trees can be taken to the compost site; the planning and community development committee will be recommending all council meetings in 2020 be held at 6 p.m. The biennial reorganization will be held Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.
